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Mike Gansey explains Sixers selecting Labaron Philon with No. 22 pick
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- Mike Gansey explains Sixers selecting Labaron Philon with No. 22 pick
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey has made his first official move to the roster. He and the Sixers selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon with the No. 22 pick in the 2026 NBA draft after he averaged 22.0 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 50.1% from the floor and 39.9% from deep in the 2025-26 season.
Initially expected to be a lottery pick, Philon fell a bit in the draft, but he is a player who some consider now the steal of the draft following a tumble to Philadelphia .
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"He was pretty high on our board," said Gansey. "I was surprised, a little bit, he was there, but I watched Labaron a lot. One of my close college friends is the athletic trainer there, at West Virginia with me, so I kind of know those guys there a little bit. We drafted Collin Sexton (with the Cavaliers) in the past in Alabama, but Labaron is just a dynamic guard. He can play on and off the ball, came back first, second year (at) Alabama. He could have come out last year, probably. He got picked a little bit higher this year."
As a freshman in the 2024-25 season, Philon averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds along with 1.4 steals while shooting 45.2% from the floor and 31.5% from deep. He had thoughts of going to the league, but he decided to go back to college and he put together a solid enough season to be selected in the first round.
"Just dynamic," Gansey added. "He can score. He can pass. I think he was the only player in Division One to average 22 and five assists, shoot over 50%. He shot 39% from three. His efficiency went up. He had 35 on Michigan, probably one of the best defensive teams in the country in the tournament. He's played in SEC. So, he's the focal point of the offense on the other team's scouting report, and he's got some toughness."
The city of Philadelphia is a tough and blue collar city. Gansey's goal is to bring in players who fit that mold and guys who can fit in with the identity of the city and what he wants the Sixers to be. He feels as if Philon will fill that role.
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"I think he's going to fit Philly," Gansey finished. "He plays with an edge, plays with the swag. He's not afraid. He's a Mobile, AL kid. So, he stayed home. He's loyal. He's won a lot of games there. He played with Nate Oates. They play an NBA system. They get up and down, they play fast, they shoot a lot of 3s. So, we were very excited he was there, and he was a really good player the last two years, and we're excited to have him in Philly."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Mike Gansey explains Sixers selecting Labaron Philon with No. 22 pick
